The Lovereading4Kids comment

April 2012 Debut of the Month. A Tiger Too Many is enchanting from the word go and very readable. The sentences are short and concise with no waffle and therefore the story goes forward quite briskly and the reader’s attention is held. Although a work of fiction it is so interwoven in historical fact that you feel the senses of sight, sound, hearing, smell and touch within the narrative giving the story a three dimensional feel to it and it’s brought to life in a very realistic way.

The story is set during the first year of the Second World War and the author’s research included close consultation with a zoological historian who also lived through the War, to ensure its authenticity. Jill is the main protagonist and her story is an inspiring one for when war breaks out her courage, determination and inability to accept what might appear inevitable comes to the fore. Even when she’s evacuated to the country, leaving her mother and a tiger she has befriended at London Zoo behind, and treated cruelly by the family who takes her in, she doesn’t give up. Eventually she runs away back to London. With no sign of her mother and scenes of devastation in and around the zoo she decides to find and rescue Ronny the tiger.

There’s a tear-jerking happy ending to leave readers on a high note. A Tiger Too Many is a dramatic and powerful page-turner and perfect to read aloud to a child or for a child aged 9+ to enjoy alone.

Synopsis

A Tiger Too Many by Antony Wootten

Set in London Zoo during World War II, it is a tense tale of a young girl’s desperate struggle to save her beloved tiger-cub. Despite the traumas of air-raids and evacuation, and her older brother going missing in action, Jill never gives up, even when the zoo itself is bombed and she finds herself amongst the burning debris...

Reviews

The Northeast, Middlesbrough & Teesside Evening Gazette’s December 2011 Book of the Month.

'This story for the nine to 12 age group is well written and retains the reader’s interest, so that he or she cares about what happens to the characters as the story zips along.' - Newbury Weekly News

'real edge-of-the-seat-stuff.. Buy it? Yes.' - TheBookbag.co.uk

A small selection of Reader reviews:

'I bought this novel for my daughter, but as an avid reader myself I decided to read it after her. I found A Tiger Too Many compelling and could not put the book down..'

'I am a primary school teacher and I read this to my class of Y5 children when we were studying World War II. We loved it.'

'I thought I would read this book myself before giving to my son to read and am so glad I did as I really enjoyed it! Read it in two sittings and shed a few tears in the process. A wonderful book for older children to read with an interesting storyline that also gives them an insight into life during WW2.'

About the Author

Antony Wootten was a primary school teacher for 19 years. He was born in Berkshire in 1971 and taught in a number of different schools, including several in London and one in Canada. For around 12 years he lived in various parts of London where he eventually met his fiancée, Louise. They now live in a very old cottage overlooking a quiet valley near Whitby in Yorkshire.

As well as writing children's books, he now also visits schools promoting educational computer software. Antony has illustrated a number of books, and also paints the beautiful scenery around where he lives.